Contents
The name “fly agaric” unites a large group of mushrooms that have similar characteristics. Most of them are inedible and poisonous. If you eat a fly agaric, then poisoning or a hallucinogenic effect will occur. Some varieties of these mushrooms are considered edible, but they must be able to distinguish them from dangerous representatives.
What does fly agaric look like
All representatives of this group are large in size. The leg is central, in young specimens it is in a common coverlet. The cap is fleshy, often convex. Easily separated from the leg. The color is varied: red, orange, white, green. Flakes or patches remain on the hat. The edges are smooth, ribbed.
The plates are located freely or adhere to the leg. Their color is white or yellowish. The leg is straight, cylindrical in shape, expanding towards the base. The pulp is white, changes color after cutting.
Amanita mushroom in the photo:
Amanita is autotroph or heterotroph
According to the type of nutrition, the fly agaric is a representative of heterotrophs. This includes living organisms that need ready-made organic substances. At the same time, mushrooms feed on dead and decaying tissues – wood and leaves. Unlike autotrophs, they are not able to independently process inorganic substances into organic matter. The former include algae and all land plants.
What animals eat fly agaric
Mushrooms serve as food for many forest dwellers. Of the animals, fly agarics eat moose, deer, squirrels. The pulp contains substances that destroy parasites. However, they do not have a harmful effect on animals. Dangerous toxins are removed from their body and do not penetrate into the bloodstream.
It is also believed that fly agarics serve as an antiseptic for animals and help get rid of diseases. How many mushrooms to eat, they choose intuitively.
Why is the fly agaric mushroom called “fly agaric”
The name of the mushroom is due to the fact that it is often used in everyday life. Based on it, a means was obtained to combat flies. Initially, the name was applied only to the red species, but gradually spread to the entire genus.
Types of fly agaric with photos and descriptions
All types of fly agaric can be divided into edible and poisonous. The first group includes representatives that are allowed to be eaten. Inedible varieties are deadly to humans.
Edible fly agaric with photo and description
Main edible species:
- Caesar mushroom. The hat is 6 to 20 cm in size, has an ovoid, hemispherical shape. Over time, it becomes prostrate and convex. The color is orange or red, gradually becoming yellow. The leg is fleshy, strong, clavate. The pulp is dense, whitish, with a pleasant taste and smell. The fruiting period is from early summer to October. It occurs in light deciduous forests next to birch, beech, hazel. It is distinguished from poisonous varieties by the yellow ring and plates.Attention! In the Far East, there is another edible variety – cesarean. It is distinguished from poisonous representatives by similar characteristics, like the Caesar mushroom.
- Ovoid. A conditionally edible species that is eaten. It has a hard hat of white or gray color. It has an ovoid shape, gradually becoming flatter. There are flakes along the edges. The leg is thickened at the base, there is a large ring at the top. Prefers calcareous soils and beech forests. When collecting, it is important not to confuse the egg-shaped fly agaric with the pale grebe. If in doubt, you should refuse to collect these mushrooms.
- Gray pink. Hat up to 15 cm in size, hemispherical or convex. In older specimens, it acquires a flat shape. The color is gray-pink, with a reddish or brown undertone. Leg up to 10 cm long, not more than 3 cm in diameter, cylindrical. There are bulges at the base. The pulp is white, fleshy, with a slight aftertaste. When damaged, it turns pink. The collection period is from early summer to late autumn. Before use, the pulp is boiled.
- Float yellow-brown. Mushroom with a smooth, slimy hat ranging in size from 4 to 10 cm. The color is brown, with a golden or orange undertone. The shape of the cap is convex or flat. The leg is hollow, fragile, up to 15 cm high. It occurs in damp places, in swamps, in mixed and coniferous forests. They are eaten only after boiling, because due to heat treatment, harmful toxins come out of the pulp. Taste qualities are good.Important! You can distinguish a float from poisonous fly agarics by the absence of a ring on the leg.
The most poisonous fly agaric
The most dangerous for humans are the following types of fly agaric:
- Red. According to the photo and description, the red fly agaric has a spherical hat. Over time, it becomes flat-convex. The color is red or orange, there are numerous flakes on the surface, which are often washed away by rain. Found under spruce and birch, prefers temperate climate. Growth period from August to October. The fungus is poisonous, when it enters the body it has a psychotropic effect.
- Death cap. One of the most dangerous mushrooms, deadly poisonous to humans. Signs of poisoning appear after 8 hours, sometimes after 2 days. The pale grebe is distinguished by a bell-shaped or convex hat up to 10 cm in size. The color is white, greenish, yellow or beige. The leg is long, reaches 12 cm, up to 2 cm in diameter. Pale grebe grows in deciduous and coniferous forests.
- Panther. Will grow in mixed and coniferous arrays in sandy soil. Fruiting bodies appear from July to mid-autumn. Hat up to 12 cm, spherical or prostrate. There is a tubercle in the center, the edges are ribbed. The color is gray-brown, white flakes are located on the surface. The variety is deadly poisonous, it is one of the most dangerous types of mushrooms. Symptoms of poisoning are observed 20 minutes after ingestion.
- White toadstool or spring toadstool. It grows in coniferous and mixed forests. Prefers warm regions of the temperate climate zone. Fruiting bodies appear from June to August. Hat size from 4 to 10 cm, rounded. The color of the whole mushroom is white. The leg is hollow, cylindrical, elongated. Spring grebe is poisonous, its use in food is not permissible.
- Smelly. A deadly poisonous variety of white or gray color. The hat is 6 to 10 cm in size, at first it has a conical shape with a pointed top. Gradually becomes convex. The skin is shiny, mucous. The leg is cylindrical, up to 15 cm high. The color of the cap is white, sometimes it has a pink tint. It grows from June to October in the temperate zone.
When fly agarics grow in the forest
Amanitas begin to grow from August. The fruiting period continues until October. On the territory of Our Country, these mushrooms are ubiquitous. They prefer acidic soil and temperate climates. Often form mycosis with spruce and birch.
How and when to collect fly agaric
Fly agaric mushrooms in the forest are collected in ecologically clean places. Select sites remote from industrial facilities, power lines, highways. In the pulp of mushrooms, harmful substances accumulate that enter the air and soil as a result of human activities.
The fruit body is cut with a knife. For collection use wide baskets. It is not recommended to put mushrooms in plastic bags. The collected mass is not stored for a long time, it should be used as soon as possible.
For what purposes fly agaric is collected
Amanitas are used in folk medicine. With their help, they receive funds to combat skin diseases, joint diseases and varicose veins. The pulp contains components that can relieve pain, stop bleeding, disinfect and heal wounds.
What happens if you eat raw fly agaric
Eating fly agaric raw is not recommended. After taking, intoxication, hallucinations, disorientation in space are observed. This state lasts for 6-7 hours.
Why is fly agaric so dangerous
The danger of fly agaric for health is explained by the content of toxic compounds. Many of them have a psychotropic effect and cause vasodilation. As a result, the work of the gastrointestinal tract, heart, respiratory organs, and liver is disrupted. In rare cases, death occurs. The lethal dose of fly agaric is 15 caps.
Fly agaric poisoning symptoms
Fly agaric poisonous when ingested causes poisoning. The first signs appear half an hour after taking the mushrooms.
Fly agaric poisoning symptoms:
- pain in the stomach and intestines;
- profuse salivation;
- vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- cardiopalmus;
- feverish state.
Muscarine, which is contained in the pulp, disrupts the brain. As a result, a cholinergic syndrome appears, which is determined by shortness of breath and constriction of the pupils. The victim is overexcited, looks irritated. In case of an overdose, apathy and drowsiness quickly set in. The body temperature drops, the skin turns pale, the whites of the eyes turn yellow.
With complications, pulmonary edema occurs, which leads to suffocation. The most severe consequences of using fly agaric are cardiac arrest, loss of consciousness, and death.
First aid for poisoning
In case of poisoning with poisonous mushrooms, the victim is given first aid:
- give warm water and induce vomiting;
- put to bed and provide peace;
- give activated carbon or other sorbent.
Be sure to call a doctor who examines and prescribes treatment. Recovery is carried out in the toxicology department of the hospital. The victim is given an antidote – atropine. This substance supports the work of the heart and prevents the absorption of toxins into the blood.
The recovery period depends on the amount of mushrooms eaten, the age and health of the victim. If necessary, drugs are additionally prescribed to restore the microflora of the stomach, maintain respiratory function, normalize heart rhythm, etc.
Is the collection of fly agaric prohibited in Our Country
On the territory of Our Country there is no ban on the collection of fly agarics. This mushroom is also not included in the list of products that are narcotic. Therefore, its storage and use are not limited by law.
Interesting facts about the use of fly agaric
Amanitas have been used by people since ancient times. Since the 13th century, the toxic properties of this fungus have been well known. The infusion was used to fight flies and other insects. When exposed to water, alkaloids are released from the pulp. When insects drink such an infusion, they fall into a dream and drown in the water.
Fly agaric was used for religious ceremonies. Residents of northern and eastern Siberia used it instead of an alcoholic remedy. The effect of the reception is similar to strong intoxication: a person’s mood changes, hallucinations appear, the outlines of objects are distorted. Then there is a loss of consciousness.
The shamans of the ancient Ugric people used the pulp of poisonous mushrooms to enter a trance. Among the Mari and Mordovians, fly agaric was considered the food of spirits and gods. The Chukchi harvested dried fruiting bodies and consumed them in small pieces. It was believed that these mushrooms give courage and extra energy.
Conclusion
If you eat fly agaric, it will cause severe poisoning. In such cases, the victim is given first aid and a doctor is called. Among these mushrooms there are poisonous and safe representatives. The latter can be eaten after pre-treatment. Each species of the Amanita family has its own characteristic features by which it is distinguished from others.
